Bleed myself dry

For you I’d bleed myself dry -Coldplay

Who would you bleed yourself dry for? Who do you bleed yourself dry for?

Most of the women I know have at one stage or another given their absolute all. Drained their tank. Completely exhausted their energy reserves. Bled themselves dry. I know I have.

Whether its obligation, a need to martyr ourselves or inexperience we usually feel as though we have no other choice. There is always a choice and I must admit more often than not I’ve made the wrong one. Putting another’s needs before mine until I don’t have enough energy left to be any help to either of us.

The first time was for a friend in High school. I was totally dedicated to the wellbeing of this girl. I stayed on the phone until 3am on school nights so she would not fall asleep alone. I removed temptingly sharp objects, ferried messages to boyfriends and even let her pash my crush.

The second time I bled myself dry was for a job. I would get in early, take no lunch break and leave as late as 10pm. I even worked some weekends. Some days I wouldn’t even take a bathroom break. I personally invested in staff, coaching some outside business hours. One time I went to work with no voice at all and drank special herbal teas all day just to speak.

Lastly and most recently I bled myself dry for my baby. I’m sure I am not alone. The first few months of parenthood come close to taking everything you’ve got. Amazing physical feats of natural childbirth and healing. Sleep deprivation. The discomfort of the early days of breastfeeding and the responsibility of physically sustaining a life for 6 months. Developing super-human patience.

For me only the last hemorrhage of energy was worthwhile. In the beginning I bled because I didn’t know how to clot. I am not against throwing yourself wholly into a situation but from experience it is best done with supervision and support, and not out of desperation.

Would you bleed yourself dry?